Page 11

“Same, man,” he said, disconnecting the call just as I heard someone say they were a detective with the Dallas Police Department and to get on the ground.

Jasai ended up taking a plea deal for ten to twenty years. With some fancy lawyer working on his case, the right connections, and hundreds of thousands of dollars, we were able to get his sentence reduced to five to ten years. He wasn’t exactly the model prisoner, so at some point we knew he was going to end up doing ten with maybe a little extra time.

It took damn near a year of digging, but I was able to figure out who the fuck set us up. Taking him, his family, and the cop he was working with out, along with his family, too, wasn’t easy. The shit had to be handled with finesse. But when they all took their final breaths, I felt a little better.

“Aye, you good nigga?” he asked, tapping me on the shoulder and bringing me back to reality.

“Shit, yeah, I’m good. That’s good, though. I can’t wait for his ass to touchdown. I know he’s going to be hell in these streets when that time comes.”

“Hell yeah. He said he’d call you tomorrow. I told him you were busy trying to get your woman back tonight.” I just laughed at his ass. The fact that everyone thought I had to get her back, when she was always mine, was comical as hell to me.

“I guess, nigga. Well, since we’re done here, I guess I need to go change and head to this party. I’m glad I didn’t get dressed first. I would’ve been pissed if that niggas blood got all over me.”

Laughing, he replied, “Shit, I guess you’re right. I’ll let you know when I’m headed that way.”

“Alright, cool,” I said, pulling him in for a hug before we both got in our cars.

“Oh,” he said, snapping his fingers as I turned toward him. “Don’t forget that shit with that nigga Carter. From what I hear, he don’t like you bitching him like that in front of everyone. He’s going to want his get back, so make sure that you keep your head on a swivel.”

“I’m already knowing. I’ll handle his ass when I have time. Ain’t nobody worried about Carter’s bitch ass.”

Once he got in his car, I did the same, and we both pulled out of the warehouse parking lot. As we did, all the lights went off, and you wouldn’t be able to find this location unless either me, my brother, or someone on our team personally brought you out here. And the only motherfuckers who got escorted out here were the ones who never got to go home again.

Now that shit was back cool with Xiyah and me, I knew that I’d be able to focus a lot more. Her stubborn ass was taking me through it, but I’d do whatever it took to keep her in my life. You didn’t find women like Xiyah that often, so when you did, you had to ensure that you never did anything to fumble her. That was why that bitch spreading those rumors was going to land her a one-way ticket to hell fucking around with me. And if I didn’t get Xiyah back in a timely fashion, she was going to take that ride a lot sooner than expected.

SEVEN

XIYAH

The moment we stepped into the party, all eyes were on us, as they should’ve been. I was in no way a conceited bitch, but I knew that my girl and I looked good as fuck.

Oaklyn had on a two-piece cat suit and was going as Catwoman. Her makeup was flawless, her body was tea, and if I were into girls, I would’ve definitely been shooting my shot with her. I was going as Cruella De Vil, but a lot sexier. My wig was laid to perfection, my face was beat as though I’d sat in someone’s chair and got it professionally done, and my accessories made everything come together flawlessly.

“It’s hella niggas in here. Too bad you’re back off the market again. But don’t worry, I’m going to snag enough for both of us.”

Laughing, I said, “Trust me, I’m already knowing friend. Come on, let’s see what kind of drinks they have.”

“Cool,” she said, grabbing my hand and leading the way.

I already knew Hasan wasn’t there yet because he’d told me he’d call when he got here. I still couldn’t believe that I had let that man fuck me into submission and back into a relationship with his ass. Even though I thought I was done with him, I wouldn’t have it any other way, if I were being honest with myself. He was my person, even if he did piss me off from time to time. I just prayed we didn’t have anybody else trying to come in and attempt to break what we were building.

“Damn, y’all looking good tonight, Xiyah and Oaklyn. What a nigga gotta do to get one of y’all’s number?” one of the dudes we knew from around the way asked as he stood in front of us, showing off his grills. They looked fake to me, but who was I to judge him?

“Well, I’m already taken,” I said, smiling before turning to Oaklyn. “Oaklyn, however, might have a few things you can do to get in her good graces.”

“You know,” she said, tapping her chin. “Now that you mention it.”

She grabbed his arm, and they stepped off to talk. I already knew that she was wasting that man’s time, but from the smile on his face, it didn’t matter. He was getting some of her time, and that was a blessing for him. He didn’t need to know that whatever they were talking about would start and stop right here at this party.

As Oaklyn did whatever she was doing with this man, I looked around the party. Some of the faces I recognized, and others I didn’t. Sipping my drink, I began to move my body with the music. I thought about going over and speaking to a few of the people I knew, but from what I was hearing, the conversation Oaklyn was having was about to be over very soon, and we could just make our rounds together.

“I know that bitch isn’t coming over here,” Oaklyn said, taking her attention from the dude and turning to face me.

I wasn’t sure who she was talking about, but when I looked in the direction she was facing, I knew exactly why. Ebony was coming toward us with two of her minions on each side of her. I could tell she was coming over to start some bullshit, but little did she know I was going to be on whatever bullshit she was on. In my opinion, we were too old to be out here fighting and causing drama. But I wasn’t above meeting any bitch at their level if I needed to.

“Are we going to rock her shit, or are we going to let her make it? Let me know what time we’re on. I don’t give a fuck either way.”

“I’m not trying to knock a bitch out tonight, but I’m also not above it, either,” I said, shrugging.